The five-time Tony Award-winning musical "Fun Home," opened this week at the Fox Theatre — a special homecoming for the musical, which was produced by Fox Theatricals, based in St. Louis.
The musical is based on AlisonBechdel’s graphic novel by the same name which explores her identity, coming out as a lesbian growing up, and her relationship with her closeted father (you may also recognize her name from the “Bechdel Test,” which is used as an indicator of gender bias in film).
In the musical version, the audience will see Alison portrayed at three different ages (10, 18 and 43) and stages of processing her childhood. While it tackles tough topics, like a parental suicide, producers of the show contend it is a heartwarming and oftentimes humorous production.
“One of the things that shocks people is how funny it is,” said Mike Isaacson, one of the show’s producers, on St. Louis on the Air. “There is a richness and humanity to it that transcends any simple description … what the show becomes is something bigger than the plot events of these people’s lives, it is about understanding your family.”
While a musical that takes on potentially controversial topics might be a hard sell, producer Kristin Caskey said “Fun Home” has had the exact opposite response from audience members, who often stay in their seats after the show is over to discuss what they just saw.
“The audience feels it together,” Caskey said. “This is a musical that encourages you and inspires you to lean in.”
That’s because, although characters hone in on a very specific stories, it plays to broader moments in a person’s life like first love and family troubles.
“When you look at the greats, at Rogers and Hammerstein, they took on the tough stuff,” Isaacson said. “And when you take on the tough stuff with beauty, and talent and humor … the audience is fine. To this day, South Pacific remains this incredibly bold, profound musical.”
For Isaacson and Caskey, the premiere of “Fun Home” on a St. Louis stage feels like a personal triumph because of its ties to the local community. Local producers Mary Strauss, Julie Baudendistel-Noonan and Lisa Baudendistel-Suntrup of Fox Theatricals as well as well-known arts advocates such as Jack Lane, of STAGES, and benefactors like Terry Schnuck were integral in bringing the memoir to the stage.
“This has great personal meaning,” Isaacson said. “The whole endeavor is a crazy leap of faith. Everyone believes in something that may not exist. And you set out to do this and to give artists what they need and figure out how to do it. And it’s hard. And most shows fail, to be honest. This has meant a lot to everyone and the community who came together is just beautiful.”
Related Events
What: "Fun Home" at the Fox
When: November 15 – 27, 2016
Where: Fox Theatre, 517 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103
More information.
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